Receive the latest ward-room updates in your inbox

Sen. Kirk Loses Endorsements Amid Debate Scandal

At least two major supporters of Sen. Mark Kirk have pulled their endorsements of the Republican representative following a racially-charged comment the senator made about the heritage and military legacy of Democratic challenger Rep. Tammy Duckworth’s family. Mary Ann Ahern reports. (Published Monday, Oct. 31, 2016)

At least two major supporters of Sen. Mark Kirk have pulled their endorsements of the Republican representative following a racially-charged comment the senator made about the heritage and military legacy of Democratic challenger Rep. Tammy Duckworth’s family.

The Human Rights Campaign, a leading LGBTQ advocacy group, and the Americans for Responsible Solutions political action committee, a gun-violence prevention organization co-founded by former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, pulled their endorsements over the weekend, citing what one group called a "racist attack" by Kirk.

During a debate last Thursday, Kirk mocked Duckworth’s family history of military service after the congresswoman said her family has “served this nation in uniform going back to the Revolution.”

“I had forgotten your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington,” Kirk responded.